Mud, Rain, and Paintballs: Capturing the CFC Club's Mountain Adventure
What does it take to get unforgettable photos? Sometimes, it takes soaked shoes, heavy rain, and standing right in the line of fire.
Recently, I had the privilege of shooting a mountain getaway organized by the CFC club for its members and their families. The destination: a rugged mountain paintball outdoor facility. Since it was my first time at this location and a prior site visit wasn't possible, I arrived early, quickly scanned the terrain, and mapped out a shooting plan on the fly.
The day started beautifully. I began by capturing the behind-the-scenes magic: the arrival of the families, the kitchen team preparing a fresh breakfast, and kids launching into badminton matches. But as soon as breakfast ended and the teams geared up for paintball, Alberta's unpredictable weather rolled in.
Entering the Strike Zone
Before the storm hit, I managed to get my drone into the air (having secured flight clearance beforehand) to capture some sweeping aerial view shots of the battlegrounds. But as the first round began, a heavy downpour turned into a hailstorm. Flying a drone in hail is a one-way ticket to a crash, so I quickly landed the gear and made a choice.
To get the shots the CFC team deserved, I had to be in the game.
I threw on safety goggles, a bright vest, and ran onto the battlefield with my main camera. I’m not going to lie—I was terrified for my gear. Even with a protective filter on the lens, a direct hit from a heavy, fast-moving paintball can easily shatter a camera. To add to the chaos, the rain was blurring everyone's vision, and my sneakers were instantly soaked through from the wet grass.
But the thrill of capturing raw emotion won. I embedded myself directly in the crossfire.
The Ultimate Payoff
By lunchtime, the teams returned to the base wet, muddy, exhausted, and starving—only to be welcomed by a massive, delicious meal prepped by the kitchen crew.
For the second round, the rain stopped, and the battle shifted from the forest to the open field. This was my moment. I got the drone back in the air and captured the entire tactical game from above in stunning detail, tracking every run, flank, and flag capture. Just as the final whistle blew, a second hailstorm hit, driving everyone safely into the tents to pack up and head home.
Was risking my camera and walking in soaked shoes for 8 hours worth it? Absolutely.
The resulting photos are packed with genuine grit, laughter, adrenaline, and energy that you simply cannot fake. The full gallery is ready for the CFC family.
Looking to capture your club's next big adventure or corporate event with the same level of dedication? Let’s connect and map out your story.
